Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1887-08-22
[ TWAS SIMPLY FATE
Written for this paper. ]

Written for this paper.1
What sight it wasl An old wsgon road,
long fallen into disuse, led away into tie
depths of the woodland, and down this, with
her fashionable skirts pinned up until q sug-
gestion of the daintiest of hose was visible,
a tiny wicker lunch basket in one hand, the
other grasping the end Of bit Of stick, the
opposite end Of which was firmly set in the
capacious jaws Of great St. Bernard, Miss
Jessamine Mature was speeding. Which en-
5oyed the romp most, the mistress or the dog,
would have been difficult to tell both certainly
pursued the sport with a wonderful zest Miss
Jessamines cheeks were flushed to the color
Of roses, her eyes sparkled with an intensity
Of excitement, the sailor hat swung carelessly
over her shoulder, and her hair, loosed from
its usual stylish bounds, fell streaming down
her back in glossy ringlets. The dog, not
content with many exhibitions of his superb
ority in the way of feetness, occasionally
tugged at his end of the stick with sudden
ness that snatched it out OF her weaker grasp,
greatly to the detriment of her gloves; but he
evidently considered it much pleasanter to
submit to the gentle restraint, and always
FASTENED to re-establish the connection. And
he was therein a sensible old fellow; for not
few Of his intellectual superiors would have
given fortune to have possessed his hold ON
the end of that bit of wood.
1t would have greatly surprised many Of
her prim city associates to have seen the fas.
tidious Miss Jessamine Mature ON that Sep
telnber afternoon Her high record for ire
proachableness In the matter of proprieties
would have been considerably damaged, and
grave doubts would have arisen concerning
tue sincerity Of certain sentiments expressed
IT, a. - xI1 O.,l
Nature" Of which she was the distinguished
author. How this usually demure person, il
truly gifted with soul for "the sublime in
nature" could so far neglect tho grand old
woods about her, now radiant with all the
glories Of early autumn, as to stoop to SO friv-
olous amusement as that in which she was
then engaged, would have passed all compre-
hension. But Miss Jessamine Mature, secure
in the solitude of the forest. and animated
with the sense of freedom which can only be
appreciated by those whose lives are mostly
spent In the confines Of a city, little needed
the sublimity OF her surroundings, and not
insreQueni ly broke the solemn stiffness with
peal Of laughter so merrily musical that the
very birds were hushed into envious silence.
Such vigorous exercise as that, however,
must Of a necessity soon out wind one SO little
accustomed to it, and Miss Jessamine pres
emily settled down to a walking pace, re-
inquishing the stick entirely to the dog,
much to his evident chagrin.
lhey soon reached Spot IN whlcn any one
blessed with an iota of poetic or artistic feel
ing must have halted. A small stream,
that doubtless had its source in some swampy
lake buried in the very heart of the woods,
here flowed softly oy: almost hidden, save
where the road crossed II, ny the growth OF
bushes on either mana. A oringe formed OF
rude pianks' wmcn had III us day oeeh sturdy
IL not part QUARRY ofh amental, spahneh the
stream. Two slender pores, mace iast 10
posts placed az each corner oi the oI"ge,
were the only suaros on the s'oes OF the
structure ana against one Oh Iheih MISS oessa-
mime leaned, party 10 Iuiiy recover her Stlll
scant breath, ana partly 10 ENJOY the calm
beauty OF the scene.
t was glorious. lali trees OF every species
iitted their neads ABOVE her, through the Toll
age OK winch tue sunbeams glanced, subdued
ana goiden. Inc oirds' nltSihR 10 and fr"
among tAe branches, cnattered merrily to
each other III their mysteriously musical dia-
lect The soft murmur OF the stream sound
ed like the faint echo OF far of strain sung
by the breeze which family stirred the tree
tops as it journeyed toward the north. Here,
indeed, was 1.-The subiimity OF nature per-
sonified.
The recent excitement Gained down, Miss
Jessamlne stood wrapt III meditative enjoy
ment. distant look in her eyes bespoke
the oouhdIess realms 10 winch her poetic soul
was soaring Society, with its many mock
cries. Its f"iiies and iraiitles, was forgotten.
The memory OF the home in which her Or
phahed chiinhooo had oeen spent, full as 1t
was OF indignlties and accusations of pauper-
ism-eVen the existence OF cruel aunt had
faded away. Inc weary days and nights Of
Toll IN "nicn ner hrst literary Efforts were
made were ind'st'ict vapors III her mind, and
the nood TIDE OF success which was now
bearing her on 70 prosperity gave no thrill OF
pleasure. All senses were absorbed III con-
temptation OF tue scene ABOUT her.
She was suddenly brought BACK to earth by
LOUD bark IRON carlo, "ho' not being gifted
with the faculty OF ENJOYING so engrossing a
revere nad wandered on IN search OF more
active employment his bark was soon
answered ny an angry exclamation from an
unquest'ohaoIy masculine source. In a
moment more the crash OF underbrush gave
warning that something unusual was up, and
when Carlo burst into sight his footsteps were
closely followed by the owner or the angry